'Fifty percent of our work right now is for private individuals for wine cellars, even people who only want to put in a couple of barrels,’ says David Provost of Bacchus Caves. ‘They’re affordable, and they’re a good use of land people already have.’ Caves are no longer dim holes in the ground, and they’re not just subterranean warehouses for wine barrels anymore…Many of these caves are also showpieces created to entertain friends and customers, and they’re often built on an extravagant scale, with cathedral ceilings, waterfalls, and works of art.

- Wine Spectator
We had an extraordinary schedule, and Bacchus was very flexible, and worked very, very hard to stick to our schedule and make it work, even though a lot of what they do is unpredictable. That made a huge difference to us. I give them a lot of credit for working really well in a very small, confined space, and pulling it off. Our project foreman…I can’t say enough good things about that guy. He was spectacular—really good, and very conscientious.

- Scott RichMoraga Vineyards
The cave we built completes the experience we provide here—it’s even more than the cherry on top. It’s a beautiful showpiece, our winemakers like being in the cave, and it improves the overall quality of our visitor experience with wines.

- Joe BenzigerBenziger Family Winery
It was Dave’s overall knowledge that impressed me. He’s an exceptionally agile problem solver, and doesn’t side step problems or make excuses. Our cave is in the side of a volcanic knoll, so the ground material changed very quickly. The first 20 feet were ideal conditions and Bacchus made quick progress, but then we ran into very, very hard, difficult conditions and had to begin blasting instead of tunneling. In my experience, other cave developers would have stopped the progress and said, ‘gee wiz, now we’re going to have to blast, it’s a whole different process, here’s our new cost structure.’ Dave didn’t look at it as a problem to be bought, he looked at it as a problem to be solved. He came to me and said that as long as they could continue making the same time and motion that they had been with the drilling, then short of some of the materials needed for blasting, the cost wouldn’t change. That made it viable for me to keep going. The fact that he adjusted to the situation and didn’t create an untenable position for me is the part I appreciate most.

- Thomas BaldacciBaldacci Family Vineyards
Working with Bacchus has been a pleasure. I felt comfortable with David from the beginning, and everyone I’ve met who works for him has been wonderful. I’m impressed—they’re very talented people. They do everything right. Our cave is relatively small, but it’s magnificent and adds a lot to the ambiance of the property.

- Private ClientSt. Helena, CA
“…Bacchus was the most accommodating and the most professional. I really appreciated their willingness to be there and to get the job done. It was a great partnership and a great experience for us. They led us through the process every step of the way. They kept us informed daily, communicating their progress and problems. When changes came up along the way, they made it easy for us. Our job site, which was adjacent to a crush pad construction project, was always crowded with subcontractors, employees, visitors, and the pressure of harvest. Nevertheless, Bacchus handled the job with a minimum impact on the people, site, and general environment. They were very cooperative and kept change orders to a minimum, even as we altered the scope of work. I felt a sense of teamwork with Bacchus. Their employees are solid…Despite a difficult job with difficult conditions, Bacchus actually completed our cave ahead of schedule.

- Joe and Mike BenzigerBenziger Family Winery
Once thought to be extinct, it turns out that cave men are alive today - and living very well. But unlike those hairy prehistoric hulks with wooden clubs, today's cave men are affluent professionals who sip vintage Cabernet in swank, subterranean cellars.

- Jan WalshWine Spectator
Having somebody build a cave underground that you’re going to be spending a lot of time in, trust is a big factor. Trusting that they’ll provide a safe environment for you. I think Dave’s experience drilling mines gives him a leg up on others.

- P.J. RexDeerfield Ranch Winery
Dave won the job because of his mining background, his energy, and his commitment to doing it right. Dave is a professional, he’s enthusiastic, and he’s very responsive. I’m a big fan.

- Peggy PhelanBenziger Family Winery
Working with Bacchus has been a pleasure. I felt comfortable with David from the beginning, and everyone I’ve met who works for him has been wonderful. I’m impressed—they’re very talented people. They do everything right. Our cave is relatively small, but it’s magnificent and adds a lot to the ambiance of the property.

- Private ClientSt. Helena, CA
We’re not actually collectors, but we enjoy entertaining and we wanted the convenience of having our wine at home. When we had our first meeting with Dave and explained what we wanted, we were afraid our job would be too small for someone to take on. Built into the side of a hill, our house has massive support beams anchoring it, so we also weren’t sure if our idea could even work. Rather than just saying yes or no, Dave considered the job from different points of views, thought about it creatively, and came up with a brilliant solution. Using an existing door, he excavated and finished our crawlspace into a finished cave.

- Private ClientLos Altos, CA

Select List of

Completed Projects

Baldacci Family Vineyards

Napa, CA
6,500 square feet

Bialla Vineyards

Napa, CA
6,500 square feet

Spring Mountain Winery

St. Helena, CA
20,000 square feet

Deerfield Ranch Vineyards

Glen Ellen, CA
23,000 square feet
Fife-Valentine Winery

Cliff Lede Vineyards

Yountville, CA
19,000 square feet [New Cave]
8,000 square feet [Remodeled Cave]
27,000 square feet [Total]

Rodde [Private]

Napa, CA
5,020 square feet

Private Bay Area

Alamo, CA
200 square feet

Kramlich

Oakville, CA
2,000 square feet Soil Nail Walls

Behrens

St. Helena, CA
1,200 square feet

Moraga

Bel Air, CA
1,800 square feet

Flannigan

Kenwood, CA
7,540 square feet

Westside

Healdsburg, CA
7,600 square feet

Private Client

Loomis, CA
1,300 square feet

VinRoc Winery

Napa, CA
2,500 square feet

Bella Winery

Healdsburg, CA
7,000 square feet

Benziger Family Winery

Glen Ellen, CA
28,000 square feet

The Meritage Resort

The Estate Cave & Spa Terra
Napa, CA
22,000 square feet

Whitford Cellars

Napa, CA
1,200 square feet

Camalie

Napa, CA
1,700 square feet

Carlysle-Mills

Napa, CA
200 square feet

Menzel [Private]

Napa, CA
2,520 square feet

St. Helena [Private]

St. Helena
1,200 square feet

Pasterick

Healdsburg, CA
2,800 square feet

Mitchell [Private]

Napa, CA
3,500 square feet

Padis [Private]

Napa, CA
2,000 square feet

Jason Enos [Private]

Healdsburg, CA
1,444 square feet

Dana Estates

Yountville, CA
21,000 square feet